Benghazi terrorist attack: A “cautious” presidency

September 11, 2012 was the first death of a U.S. ambassador since 1979. Ambassador Adolph Dubs died during crossfire in a Kabul hotel at the hands of Afghani forces, and Ambassador Stevens died in Benghazi, Libya, due to a terrorist attack.

The White House, unfortunately, covered up the Intelligence Report. The Obama administration lied on three separate counts.

Number one: The administration contended that the embassy attack arose from a video that defamed Muslims. There are extensive reports that show that the video had no play in the attack. U.S. Department Official Greg Hicks, number two U.S. official in Libya at the incident, testified last week and said that the alleged YouTube video was “a non-event in Libya.” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice appeared on several Sunday morning shows and told reporters that the video caused the attack.

The unfortunate part of this is that Greg Hicks was reprimanded for his own cooperation with congressional investigators. Cheryl Mills, Secretary Clinton’s chief of staff, was “upset” with Hicks.

He was sent back to a desk job and demoted. No one that cooperates with investigators should be treated in such way. Mr. Hicks should in fact be rewarded for his valuable information in order to prevent disasters like these.

What’s clear is that the administration should have acted differently and people need more answers.

All of these facts above are troubling. There are serious questions that everyone should ask this administration. Why would they water the incident down by omitting any mention of terrorism? Why did the White House refuse to send additional troops? Why would Ambassador Susan Rice lie on news broadcasts? A U.S. ambassador died along with his personnel. Victims’ families deserve the truth, and the Obama administration should cooperate with Congress.

Senate Intelligence Chairman Dianne Feinstein is right. She labeled this administration as “cautious,” and believes that the White House should have reacted differently and more prudently.

They look cautious and incompetent. From these new testimonies, the White House should come out clean and accept the fact that they mishandled the situation.

President Obama should accept that this was a terrorist al-Qaida attack, further security personnel was needed and rejected and that Ambassador Rice lied about the underlying events.

This is a matter of national security and should not be treated lightly.

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Alex Uzarowicz

Alex Uzarowicz has been a weekly conservative political columnist for The Knox Student for three years. He also writes for The College Conservative. Alex will graduate in June 2013 with a degree in political science, after which he will head abroad to begin his Peace Corps service.